Avoidance

*Zeke walked through the camp, spaced out. People were obviously avoiding him, almost as if they were making a path for him, they stayed so far away. Those who didnt know him still tried staying away, as they saw what everyone else did, But Zeke didnt realize this, he just walked up to a tree and sat down, talking to himself, very little of his words were heard, for he was whispering.*

Veronica continued to make her rounds. She watched as people attempted to rest against trees, the bark providing little comfort. Another group of families slowly made their way to the main part of camp, most likely to get their food ration. There was a silent message within the camp, don't look at the ruined city,only the forest. Maybe it was their way of avoiding the reality till they were ready to take it in. Veronica then took notice of a man sitting alone against a tree, seemingly muttering to himself. She approached calling out to him.

*Zeke didn't know the question was addressed to him, so he didn't pay attention much, then looking down and some grass he would say* "What makes you grow?" *Then, he would pluck it and begin tying it into a knot, people watching his hesitant about getting near him*

"Hello, did you hear me?" Veronica tried again. She had been ignored, whether purposefully or accidentally, and she was worried. Hopefully this wasn't a post traumatic situation of the destruction of Arakai. She had read books where some people could go into a state of post shock, ignoring everyone and getting lost in their own world. Veronica reached forward and tapped the man on the shoulder.

*He would turn his head* "I have no idea.. who are you?" *He would put the grass on his finger, losing interest quickly and tearing it to pieces, looking back at the women, suddenly focusing, as if he had changed completely* "Nobody thinks Im ok, Im different mentally, and.." *He would trail of and take out a coin, spinning it around on his hand*

Veronica sighed, she wasn't getting anywhere. Maybe it was better if she just left him, it's wasn;t like she could cure his trauma if he had one.

"My name is Veronica. I am trying to help people settle into the forest until they can find a home elsewhere. I was asking if you needed anything? Are you cold? I can get you a blanket from the suppy tent if you want."

"Im not cold.. these people are.." *He would stand up and walk towards some people, with all of them fast walking away and rejoining a few feet away, staring at his and murmuring* "See my point?" *He would have dropped the coin, so he begins to pry the bark off a tree, unknowing that some children were behind him, looking at what was the "Weirdo" as he was sometimes called*

Veronica shook her head. She wasn't getting any meaningful responses and she had others to tend to. She looked around and noticed that the people stayed far away from the man as well. Maybe he was a mental patient or something, and that's why they were giving him space. She stood up and began to walk away, intent on helping those who needed her help.

*He would look at her, knowing that she was annoyed* "Wait! I was just beginning to like you." *He would say, in hopes he could have atleast a friend.* "Im Zeke." *He would say, hoping he was heard. Then, he would find the coin, pocketing it*

Veronica frowned. Great another random person saying they liked her. If she had learned anything with her experience with Beats she knew this wasn't going to end well. Still it wasn't her job to ignore citizens unless they got clingy, then she would ignore them.

"Nice to meet you I suppose." Veronica answered. "Is there something you needed or can I get back to my patrol?"

"I thought I might've been getting close to have a friend.." *He would say, with little emotion. Then, upon realizing that he was hungry, he would say:* "I don't need much, but do you know where the food is?" *He would sneeze, some dust getting into his nose*

Veronica could feel a headache coming on. The man man no sense, he might have been getting close to have a friend? Did he mean her? They had met not even a minute ago and not he thought they were close to being friends? And then he immediately switched subject, with seeming no rhyme or reason. Veronica sighed silently to herself. Maybe she needed a break.

"The food counter is north of here, near the white tent." She pointed to the small white structure in the distance.

*He would turn, and walk towards it, people moving out of his way before he even got near them. Then, when he went to the tent, people who were there gradually drifted away, but atleast he got some food, then, he would go to a tree climb it and sit down, eating*